It's no secret that Eli Manning's 27 interceptions led the NFL last season. What's not as well publicized is that Jason Pierre-Paul, the New York Giants' defensive centerpiece, has seen his sack totals plummet from a career-high 16.5 in 2011 to a mere two in 2013.

General manager Jerry Reese concedes both players will have to bounce back to their 2011 form if the Giants are going to return to the playoffs this season.

As we pointed out in our preseason Week 1 "winners" column, though, Pierre-Paul finally appears to be all the way back from back, shoulder and knee injuries that ravaged his 2013 season. At one point in last week's game, he tossed Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum like a rag doll.